Saltwater Tank Problem

[Dirk_brijs]

Can please someone explain to me what is on the attached pictures.

I had a saltwater tank installed just a few days ago and I think I am being ripped off. I dont want to post too many details as I am not sure and I dont like to point a finger if I dont know what I am talking about. More details will follow if someone can explain me if this is a real problem or as the seller states wouldnt give a problem.

Anyway I think personally t looks like a problem as it look like a mold and I cant imagine that a mold is ever good?

Anyway it is a snowish fluffy substance that started growing on those rocks about 3 days ago which was 2 days after the tank as set up.

The tank has several filter systems and a skimmer. The tank has no fish in it yet as I thought it would be a good idea to wait with those unless I was sure the water is ok. According to the seller all looks fine and I could put fish in it. Sure to buy fish from him so when they die I can buy some more of his fish.

please help

As said I will post more details on who and how much the tank was installed for to warn other people on this board as I have found out more people might have been scammed by the same guy??

I would also like to double post this as it is Pattaya related as it goes about a as everybody thinks well respected shop in Pattaya.

[Crushdepth]

It's pretty hard to see what is going on from the photos, but from the last one it looks like your rocks had some algae growing on them which is now dying. Probably, the rocks were left out of water too long or badly handled prior to setting up your tank.

Don't put fish in your tank yet. Get yourself some water testing kits if you don't already, keep an eye on the ammonia etc - if stuff is dying you might find it spikes up while decomposition is going on. It's toxic, so wait for levels to go down before you think about putting fish in the tank. When you start adding fish, begin slowly - just one or two to start until your tank is broken in. Keep up regular partial water changes!

[Dirk_brijs]

It's pretty hard to see what is going on from the photos, but from the last one it looks like your rocks had some algae growing on them which is now dying. Probably, the rocks were left out of water too long or badly handled prior to setting up your tank.

Don't put fish in your tank yet. Get yourself some water testing kits if you don't already, keep an eye on the ammonia etc - if stuff is dying you might find it spikes up while decomposition is going on. It's toxic, so wait for levels to go down before you think about putting fish in the tank. When you start adding fish, begin slowly - just one or two to start until your tank is broken in. Keep up regular partial water changes!

the only 2 testers I have is Ph and Nitrate.

The Ph test seem to be testing ok with a Ph of 8 which according to some research seems ok.

The Nitrate though is way high with a reading of over 8 while it should be like 0,2 if I am rightly informed?

any more help please would like to know what is going on as the guy who put it in will be coming tomorrow to sell some more BS maybe??

Would like to know what is going on as I paid a bit alot of money to get this tank going.

[Dirk_brijs]

let me bump this oncesomeone must be here?

[Bagwain]

Use some Zeolite in your filtration. It is very good for taking out iron, ammonia, nitrate etc!!

How large are your tank/s? (Volume)

[Dirk_brijs]

Use some Zeolite in your filtration. It is very good for taking out iron, ammonia, nitrate etc!!

How large are your tank/s? (Volume)

where to find this?

Not sure of volume but the dimensions are 120x50x50 in cm that is. guess about 200L

[Mighty Mouse]

If the supplier sold you a salt water tank with these rocks included, the rocks may well be 'live rocks.'

Live rocks are mainly used in salt water tanks and are designed to grow all sorts of helpful things to keep the fish happy and healthy.

[Naam]

Use some Zeolite in your filtration. It is very good for taking out iron, ammonia, nitrate etc!!

How large are your tank/s? (Volume)

where to find this?

Not sure of volume but the dimensions are 120x50x50 in cm that is. guess about 200L

my guess is 300 liters. anybody else wants to guess?

[Farma]

I’ve seen a similar white mould while diving on reefs near a desalination plant. I was told it was sponge in the living rock dying.

Maybe check the salinity levels in your tank.

[pumpuiman]

Use some Zeolite in your filtration. It is very good for taking out iron, ammonia, nitrate etc!!

How large are your tank/s? (Volume)

where to find this?

Not sure of volume but the dimensions are 120x50x50 in cm that is. guess about 200L

my guess is 300 liters. anybody else wants to guess?

300 liters

300,000 cubic centimeters

79.25 U.S. gallons

65.99 Imperial gallons

33 pecks ( dry measure)

527.9 pints (Imperial)

1.833 barrels (Imperial)

60,870 U.S. teaspoons

1.663 koku (Japanese)

3 dan (Chinese Imperial)

300 tanan (Thai)

8.824 minot (Old French)

487.8 vodka bottles (Old Russian)....(no kidding)

551.5 sextarium (Ancient Roman)

79.25 hin (Biblical liquid measure)

[steelepulse]

Do some water changes to get things back to normal.  Also get some damsels in there to get the cycles going for bacteria.  Damsels are tough hardy fish and they should do just fine. A really good saltwater forum can be found at reefcentral.com Spend some time over there.

Edited May 20, 2008 by steelepulse